Attack victim Marlene Bird remembered as cheeky, loving

Marlene Bird and her partner Patrick Lavalle pictured outside court following the sentencing hearing of Leslie Black in September 2017. Bird told paNOW she was awaiting prosthetic legs after the brutal attack over three years ago. (Bryan Eneas/paNOW staff)

A memorial service was held Monday night in Prince Albert to celebrate the life of a woman who captured the public eye.

The service for Marlene Bird was attended by more than 100 people, including many members of Bird’s family and close friends, as well as her long-time partner Patrick Lavallee.

The Indigenous woman garnered national attention after surviving a horrific a parking lot attack in 2014. The attack cost Bird both her legs and part of her eyesight after she was beaten, sexually assaulted and burned.